Woman Is Honored In Toddler`s Rescue

May 7, 1986|By Patti Roth, Staff Writer

DANIA -- About four years after she learned resuscitation techniques, Maria Rocco helped save a life.

Rocco, 30, who lives in Dania and works as a receptionist at Humana Hospital South Broward in Pembroke Park, was given a commendation last week from the city`s Fire Department for helping rescue a toddler who nearly drowned in a pool at a Dania apartment complex.

The toddler had already been pulled from the pool, but was unconscious and not breathing when Rocco got to the pool, she said.

Rocco, who called the rescue department, said she revived the youngster with techniques she learned while studying for her certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

``The child was completely resuscitated when we arrived,`` a Dania paramedic wrote in a letter to Fire Chief Tom Grammer. ``The child was breathing and had a good pulse.``

Grammer, in a subsequent memo to the City Commission, stated: ``I find that it is extremely rare for the average citizen to get involved with saving another person`s life.``